One of the best tight ends in all of college football is back for the Hawkeyes entering 2022. Senior Sam LaPorta was Iowa’s leader in receiving yardarge and receptions in 2021 with 670 yards and 53 grabs.
After a 2021 campaign where he earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from Phil Steele, the 6-foot-4, 249 pound tight end is earning all sorts of preseason recognition heading into this season. Phil Steele and Athlon Sports both listed LaPorta as the Big Ten’s preseason first-team tight end, while On3 ranked him as the No. 8 tight end on its Impact 300.
As the Power Five leader in returning receiving yardage among tight ends, naturally, LaPorta is garnering plenty of 2023 NFL draft buzz, too. ESPN’s Mel Kiper listed LaPorta No. 2 on his most recent big board and he was also included on Pro Football Focus’ draft watch list for tight ends.
LaPorta will be one of the most important offensive playmakers for the Hawkeyes next season. Last week, he met with Hawk Central and rest of the Iowa media members in attendance to discuss the start of Iowa’s summer program and how he feels about his game and the tight ends group heading into the 2022 college football season.